Shopping for toys with development in mind: How to support learning through play

When we think about learning, books and classrooms probably come to mind. This is often the case, but for young children, learning is done through play.

With the right learning experiences, your child will reach significant developmental milestones right before your eyes. Fine motor skills will be strengthened through drawing, coordination by stacking, and even math with counting and grouping. Toys can be great tools!

So, when shopping for toys and gifts for your child, it’s important to select items that foster play, creativity, and imagination. This will create meaningful learning experiences and support your child’s development from a young age.

In this blog, we explore the role of play in learning and development, how toys can support learning through play, and what to consider when choosing new toys for your child.

What is development?

Development is the learning process your child goes through as they grow. During this time, they learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the world around them. 

More than a million neural connections are formed each second in the first few years of life. As children continue to absorb information from their experiences and environment, 90% of their brains develop by age six.

This fast pace will never be repeated, which is why the quality of learning experiences is so important. These experiences provide a strong foundation for learning, health, and behaviour later in life.

The five main areas of development

1. Gross motor skills: These are physical skills that require whole-body movement and involve the large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso. Activities that develop gross motor skills include tummy time, walking, throwing, and kicking. Gross motor abilities also form the basis of body awareness, reaction speed, balance, and strength.
2. Fine motor skills: These relate to smaller muscles in the body, such as in the fingers or hands. They usually centre around the ability to hold and manipulate smaller objects. Activities such as painting, drawing, completing puzzles, or playing with play-dough can help develop fine motor skills.
3. Speech and language: This refers to a child’s ability to communicate with and understand others. However, these skills do not simply include the words a child uses to communicate. They also encompass body language, expression, and willingness to interact with others. Fun activities that help develop these skills include playing peek-a-boo, reading, and pretend play.
4. Cognitive and intellectual: These skills help children think, reason, and solve problems. They centre around memory and the ability to absorb and process information. Activities like sing-alongs, asking questions, imaginative play, and counting can help support cognitive and intellectual development in children.
5. Social and emotional: Social and emotional development is all about relationships! These skills help children make sense of themselves, develop empathy, and connect with others. Building social and emotional skills can be done through reading stories, dramatic play, sharing toys, and talking about their feelings.

Understanding these five main areas of development can help parents and educators create meaningful learning experiences to support development and wellbeing.

Shopping for gifts and toys with development in mind

When choosing toys for your child, look for items that can be used in a variety of ways depending on their interests, imagination, and developmental level. Instead of looking at the most popular toy, start with the five developmental areas and see what you can get to support them. 

Ask yourself:

• What developmental areas does my child need particular attention with?
• What types of learning experiences will support these developmental areas?
• What toys can I get to enhance these learning experiences?

Shapes, alphabet, and educational toys can improve literacy and numeracy skills. You can also add a range of textures to encourage sensory exploration. Board games and puzzles will help your child think critically and develop problem-solving skills!

Certain toys may be appropriate for multiple ages and stages of development. Take building blocks, for example. Babies can practice picking them up and improve their grip. Toddlers can also use them to build towers, and older children can practice counting. These types of toys may be worth investing in!

How to support learning and development through play

Once you have chosen a toy for your child, you’ll need to create a safe and engaging environment for them to play in. Set up a designated play area that is inviting and free from distractions and hazards, allowing them to explore freely.

To encourage play, demonstrate how to use toys by engaging with them yourself. Sit down with your child for a few minutes and model how to use the toy. This will spark interest and curiosity. Eventually, you’ll be able to hand over the toy to your child for them to play with.

Children need to play and explore in their own way. Resist the temptation to criticise, direct, or turn playtime into a lesson. Instead, show support by being near them and accepting their ideas. You can also provide encouragement and praise and ask them questions to spark their imagination and thinking process.

Different toys can also work together to support development. The toys don’t teach, what children create with the toys does the teaching! Think outside the box and explore how you can combine all sorts of toys to foster learning through play.

Shopping for toys is more than just finding what’s popular. It’s about choosing tools that nurture your child’s growth and creativity in meaningful ways. By understanding the five key areas of development and tailoring your toy choices to your child’s unique developmental needs, playtime can be turned into a rich learning experience!

So, the next time you’re shopping for toys for your child, think beyond the shelf and consider the invaluable role play has in your child’s growth and development. If you would like to learn more, reach out to us on 02 9891 2222 or via email at mail@reggioemilia.com.au.